T H E M O N T H LY B U S I N E S S S E C T I O N F O R L I N N A N D B E N T O N C O U N T I E S A N D T H E M I D - W I L L A M E T T E VA L L E Y
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JUNE 2012
Doug Eldon, left, makes a sale for Denison Farms at the Corvallis Farmers’ Market on June 20. NANCY RASKAUSKAS | MID-VALLEY INBUSINESS
‘Market’ research Farmers markets let growers sell direct, get to know customers By NANCY RASKAUSKAS
AREA FARMERS MARKETS
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ummer is officially here and a half-dozen outdoor farmers markets already are in full swing. A walk through the farmers market on a recent Wednesday morning at First Street in downtown Corvallis is a chance to peruse tables packed with colorful strawberries, raspberries and cherries; fill a basket with fresh vegetables; buy meats and eggs; or pick out a nursery plant or a fresh bouquet of flowers. It’s also an opportunity for customers to talk directly with the people behind the products they are buying. Farmers, their families, and trusted farmhands or neighbors staff each stall. Rebecca Landis, director of the Corvallis-Albany Farmers’ Markets, works with about 140 to 150 vendors each year. At a market, farmers pick up face-to-face information from their customers — what they like and don’t like — and what a customer asks for could show up at the next market or in that farmer’s crops the next year, according to Landis. “Our farmers know a lot more about their customers than wholesalers do,” Landis said. Vendors at the market field all manner of questions from a simple “what is this?” to in-depth queries about farm practices and philosophies. The market is also a good place for farmers to promote other types of farm-direct sales such as a community supported agriculture program (weekly boxes of fresh farm food delivered to a pre-paid client list), as well as roadside farm stands and restaurants, and U-pick destinations. “For new farms it might be the best way to get known in the community,” Landis added. But it’s not without risks. Getting into the farmers market means navigating membership fees, stall fees, applications, seniority and abiding by government regulations specific to individual products. And just because you have thousands of people walking by doesn’t mean you’re going to sell your product to enough of them, Landis said. “You’ve got to really admire the entrepreneur who can do this sort of work,” Landis said. “It’s about find-
Albany Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Fourth Avenue and Ellsworth Street (City Hall parking lot and adjacent courthouse block), Albany. Information: 541-740-1542 or www.locallygrown.org. Brownsville Saturday Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays, Main St., Brownsville. Information: 541-466-5709 or www.historicbrownsville.com. Corvallis Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays and Wednesdays, First Street and Jackson Avenue, Corvallis. Information: 541-740-1542 or www.locallygrown.org. Kings Valley-Wren Farmers and Artisans Market, noon to 4 p.m., Wren Community Hall, 35515 Kings Valley Highway. Information: 503-838-0244 or http://www.wrenditions.org. Lebanon Downtown Farmers Market, 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 18, parking lot, Grant and Main Street, Lebanon. Information: 541-760-9392. To learn more about the farms featured in this story, check out their websites: • Sweet Home Farms: www.sweethomefarms.com • Goodfoot Farm (in Kings Valley): www.goodfootfarm.com
PROVIDED BY NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE-OREGON
Beth Hoinacki of Goodfoot Farm demonstrates an indispensable cultivation tool on her farm — the wheelhoe. Hoinacki uses this tool as one of several methods for weed control on her certified organic farm operation. The timely use of the wheelhoe can conserve soil moisture by creating a “dust mulch” on the soil surface and helps manage weeds by slicing them just below the soil surface. ing the right person in your family to do it … someone who is extroverted or can put on their ‘game face.’” ●
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“We try to make eye-contact and acknowledge as many people as we can. We need people to stare at us just long enough to let it absorb. You definitely can’t be quiet and shy,” said Daniel “Dan” Polen, who worked at the Sweet Home Farms booth at the June 20 Wednesday market in Corvallis. Neighbor Ted Veeman, a fellow sheep farmer from the east side of the valley, sat atop a meat cooler chatting with Polen and customers. Sweet Home Farms is owned by Dan’s parents, Mike Polen and Carla Green. Dan’s older sister, Anna O’Malley, also works at the farm. Sweet Home Farms specializes in naturally raised meat and poultry, including beef, lamb, goat, pork and pasture-raised poultry and eggs. Due to their nature, Sweet Home’s wares stay in coolers until a customer stops by and makes a selection or picks up a preorder. SEE MARKETS | A6